The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-03
THE AMERICAN sw- SIS.
Where They Are located AMI Some o.
their characteristics.

/
| heir Characteristics.
According to the most definite infor.
nation obtainable the Swiss or Switz.
ers number fully ESQ, 900 souls in the
United States. In the Western State,
they devote themselves principally to
farming and the making of cheese. In
the Eastern States they are found in
the silk industries of New jersey,
largely in Paterson. and also in the
watch and clock towns of Connecticut
and Massachusetts.
A national popularity is their clan
nishness and unwillingness to resign
their characteristic peculiarities. About
thirty societies or clans have acquired
comparative prominence. Among them
are: The Switzers in Monroe County,
Ohio. established 1919; Highland. in
Madison County, Illinois, established
1886; New Glaris, in Green County,
Wisconsin, established 1915; Tell City,
in Perry County, Indiana. 1859; Grisly.
in Grundy County. Tennessee. 1868;
Helvetia, in Randolph County. West
Virginia. 1869; New Switzerland, in
HaberShaw County. Georgia, 1879;
Ruth, in Platte County, Nebraska, 1880;
Bernstadt, in Laurel County, Kentucky.
1881.
In the city of New York there are
about fifteen thousand Swiss, and they
have twenty-six societies-nine for
benevolent purposes, eight singing, five
sporting and four literary and social.
The most conspicuous is the Nord-
Amerihanische Grulti Bund, a benevo-
lent organization, whose headquarters
change every four years. 1t has thirty
eight branches or sections in different
States. Its main object is the assist
ance of members in case of need and a
provision for their families IN case of
death. 1t also discusses subjects affect
in. the SwiSs-Americans. and fosters r
love and reverence for the fathcrland.
The one Swiss political club came in
to existence during the Presidential
campaign of 1876. 1t has now rep
resentaJion in all the important towns,
and it is known Us the Swiss-American
Political Society. Yet it is difficult to
find Switzer who is familiar with the
subtieties OF our politics.
Outside the State of New York the
greatest number of Swiss are in Ohio,
and following rapidly behind are Wis
consin, Illinois. New Jersey, Indiana,
Minnesota, Iowa. Kansas, Nebraska,
etc, the Western States receiving large
numbers of immigrants during the past
two or three Yeas. The Southern
States are now rapidly filling up with
steady and persistent Swiss immigrants.
Many Swiss have obtained reputa-
ton in science. literature, military and
business channels. The first foreigner
who had seat in the Cabinet was 4
Swiss-Albert Gallatin. The first chief
of the United States Bureau of Coast
Survey was Swiss-Rudolph Hassler,
and he created the Office. The first gold
discovered in America was on the prop
erty of Swiss-General Suffer. One
of our greatest resident scientists was a
Swiss-Professor Agassiz. Such we'll
known names as RoscGof. Professor
GuizOt, Schlatter, recall Switzers Of
worldwide repute. One of the largest
silk importers here is Swiss; the IA
nous Delmonico family halls from
Switzerland; so does Monquin. the Full
ton street restaurateur; Iselin, the
banker; and Oscar Zoilikoffer, president
Of the gas company, Ere Swiss.-N. Y.
Herald.